BERRIEN COUNTY — The Niles and Buchanan communities are rallying to help two teens who were seriously injured Monday afternoon in a motor vehicle crash on US-12 in Bertrand Township.

The crash occurred around 3:36 p.m. at the intersection of the U.S. 31 Bypass northbound exit ramp and eastbound US-12. At the time, Dakota Cowan, 18, of Galien, was driving a Harley Davidson motorcycle and Searra Inman, 17, of Niles, was a passenger on the bike. The teens were traveling eastbound on US-12 when a gray Mercury, driven by 23-year-old Brian Elleott, of South Bend, failed to yield to the right of way when entering onto US-12 and pulled into their path, according to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department.

Cowan and Inman sustained serious injuries in the crash and were transported to St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in South Bend. On Monday night, they were listed in critical condition, according to police. The passengers of the Mercury, which included 58-year-old Sandra Elleott, 35-year-old Aaron Elleott, 10-year-old Vincent Bowman, and 7-year-old Colin Elleott were treated for minor injuries at the scene, except for Colin and Aaron who were transported to Saint Joseph Memorial Hospital in Indiana for more serious injuries. The accident remains under investigation. Police reported that alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor.

To help with upcoming medical bills and other expenses, the Niles and Buchanan community will host fundraisers to help Cowan and Inman as they begin their path to recovery.

Inman is the daughter of Chris and Pepper Inman. Chris teaches machine shop at Brandywine High School. She is a Brandywine Innovation Academy student, wrestler and motocross racer. Inman’s wrestling coach Rex Pomranka will be collecting donations during two time slots Wednesday. From 9 to 11 a.m., people can drop off donations at  Brandywine High School in the weight room. Pomranka and Lorraine Heath Duffield are also inviting the community to drop off donations from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the high school. Pomranka and Duffield are asking the community to bring monetary donations, gas gift cards, funds for hotel stays and anything else they think will help the family at this time. Those who cannot visit the school to donate at those times can email Pomranka at rpomranka@brandywinebobcats.org to coordinate a donation opportunity.

Pomranka is a Brandywine Middle School math teacher and wrestling coach. He said he has known Inman for nearly four years, since she first joined the wrestling team.

“She is a fighter. She is my first girl wrestler that I have ever coached. She is a tough kid,” Pomranka said. “She started out with no wrestling ability and has more than 70 wins. We were looking forward to her senior year. It has been a rough night for me.”

According to Robert Boyce, the chief deputy of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, Inman was airlifted Monday night to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. As of Tuesday afternoon, he said she was still in critical condition. Boyce said Cowan and Colin Elleott remained at Memorial Hospital and are still in critical condition, as of Tuesday afternoon.

When Pomranka heard the news about the accident Monday, he said he and the Brandywine staff wanted to help Inman and her family. 

“This is what we do at Brandywine,” Pomranka said. “When someone is injured this is what we do and it is what is nice about Brandywine.”

Residents of Buchanan felt the same calling to help Cowan. Cowan recently graduated from Buchanan High School. Like Inman, he was a wrestler. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, the Herd — a Buchanan spirit club — will raise money for Cowan in downtown Buchanan. Fellow Buchanan graduates and wrestlers who knew Cowan will be on the street corners from McDonald’s and all along Front Street with donation jars and signs, encouraging people to donate.

Lisa Holok, a Buchanan High School English teacher and advisor for the Herd, said they were contacted by community members and students eager to help Cowan and his family.

“We always say small town big heart,” Holok said. “If anything happens, the community has always stepped in to show support.”

For those who don’t have the opportunity to donate between those hours, Holok said people can also drop by Buchanan High School and visit the superintendent’s office to make donations throughout the week. The Herd will also be making its own donation to the cause.

Both communities encouraged people to contribute what they can and help out the families at this time.

“[We are looking for] anything right now,” Pomranka said. “We have not set any goals. We are just more focused on making sure that they have stuff down there so they do not have to worry about expenses [like] food.”